Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Innocent III

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albingensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi many times before, but in 2017 I stayed in the "Ibis Styles" hotel the first time. I was lucky that I could book the same room in the high rising building I had before. There is an incredible view, so I took photos - again. Early morning.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albingensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi many times before, but in 2017 I stayed in the "Ibis Styles" hotel the first time. I was lucky that I could book the same room in the high rising building I had before. There is an incredible view, so I took photos - again. Late afternoon.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albingensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi a couple of times before, but for the first time I stayed in the Ibis Styles hotel. I had choosen the highrising building, as I knew I would be able to see the cathedral from my room in the morning, in the afternoon and even late at night, when this photo was taken.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albingensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi a couple of times before, but for the first time I stayed at the Ibis Styles hotel. I had choosen the highrising building, as I knew I would be able to see the cathedral from my room in the morning, in the afternoon and even late at night. So this photo was taken just after sunset.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albigensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi a couple of times, so I´ll not add more details of the cathedral´s exterior. The cathedral has no portal on the west side. I learned, that the former Cathar quarters were mainly in that direction, so people from there, did not deserve a portal. The architecture of the cathedral is a kind of propaganda against the heretics. The paintings seen below the organ (1736, Christophe Moucherel) depict the Last Judgement. They were painted 1474-1484 and have really horrifying details of physical torture in hell. They remind me on works of Hieronymus Bosch.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albigensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi a couple of times, so I´ll not add more details of the cathedral´s exterior. Seen here is the nave, facing west. The cathedral has no portal on the west side. I learned, that the former Cathar quarters were mainly in that direction, so people from there, did not deserve a portal. The architecture of the cathedral is a kind of propaganda against the heretics. The paintings seen below the organ (1736, Christophe Moucherel) have really horrifying details of physical torture in hell.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. When, just after the Crusade, Durand de Beaucaire was bishop here, the erection of this fortress and the donjon started. The fortress, what was meant to be the episcopal palace, was enlarged and furher fortified even by his successors. Obviously the Catholic administration did not really feel safe and comfortable in that time. Later, the bishops transformed the structure into a stately palace with Baroque gardens, overlooking the river Tarn. Since the 1920s the Palais de la Berbie hosts the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864 – 1901) was born in Albi.

Albi was a wealthy and prospering time already in the 11th century, when a bridge, that still exists, was built, to cross the river Tarn. Albis´s fate changed dramatically, when in 1208 Pope Innocent III and Philip II of France decided to start the Albigensian Crusade to eliminate Catharism in the south of France. Albi was an important center of the Cathars and got nearly completely destroyed between 1209 and 1229. Many Cathars were burnt at the stake in Albi. After Albigensian Crusade Bishop Bernard de Castanet, who as well was the Chief Inquisitor, ordered the building of the cathedral of Sainte-Cécile in 1282. This cathedral, built from red bricks, is a massive statement of power. It is one of the largest brick buildings in the world. I had been in Albi a couple of times, but for the first time I stayed at the Ibis Styles hotel. I had choosen the highrising building, as I knew I would be able to see the cathedral from my room in the morning, in the afternoon and even late at night.

Montréal was in center of the "Pays Cathare" and in 1206 the town was the site of debates between Catholics and Cathars. The debates, initiated by Dominic of Osma (future "Saint Dominic"), were part of Pope Innocent III's program to convert the Cathars (back) to Catholicism. Dominic had no sucess. In 1209, during the Albigensian Crusade, Montréal was taken and razed by Simon de Montfort´s troops. After the crusade Montréal (and large parts of the Languedoc) became "Domaine royal", what meant these were directly possessed by the kings of France. In 1273 the erection of the new castle started - and probably the church seen here was built in a "Tolosan-Gothic" style at the same time. It was completed in 1318. From outside it looks a bit like a tiny cousin of Sainte-Cécile in Albi. www.collegiale-montreal-aude.fr/index.htm

Montréal was in center of the "Pays Cathare" and in 1206 the town was the site of debates between Catholics and Cathars. The debates, initiated by Dominic of Osma (future "Saint Dominic"), were part of Pope Innocent III's program to convert the Cathars (back) to Catholicism. Dominic had no sucess. In 1209, during the Albigensian Crusade, Montréal was taken and razed by Simon de Montfort´s troops. After the crusade Montréal (and large parts of the Languedoc) became "Domaine royal", what meant these were directly possessed by the kings of France. In 1273 the erection of the new castle started - and probably the church seen here was built in a "Tolosan-Gothic" style at the same time. It was completed in 1318. From outside it looks a bit like a tiny cousin of Sainte-Cécile in Albi. www.collegiale-montreal-aude.fr/index.htm

Montréal was in the center of the "Pays Cathare" and in 1206 the site of debates between Catholics and Cathars. The debates, initiated by Dominic of Osma (future "Saint Dominic"), were part of Pope Innocent III's program to convert the Cathars (back) to Catholicism. Dominic had no sucess. In 1209, during the Albigensian Crusade, Montréal was taken and razed by Simon de Montfort´s troops. After the crusade Montréal (and large parts of the Languedoc) became "Domaine royal", what meant these were directly possessed by the kings of France. In 1273 the erection of the new castle started - and probably the church seen here was built in a "Tolosan-Gothic" style at the same time. It was completed in 1318. From outside it looks a bit like a tiny cousin of Sainte-Cécile in Albi. www.collegiale-montreal-aude.fr/index.htm

Foligno was an Umbrian settlement, taken over by the Romans in 295 BC and named "Fulginiae". After the fall of the Roman Empire it was part of the Duchy of Spoleto. In 881 it got sacked and looted by Saracens, in 915 and again in 924 it was ruined by Magyar troops. The survivers decided to move close to the "Civitas Sancti Feliciani", a strongly fortified church where Bishop and martyr Feliciano was buried. Thanks to Barbarossa it gained the status of free city in 1165. Siding first with the Guelph party, Foligno became Ghibelline later and was a rival of Perugia. Foligno changed hands often during the wars of the 13th century. From the the 14th century on the city flourished, controlling large territory. Foligno was part of the Papal States until 1860 (with only two short exceptions). Foligno has suffered from a major earthquake in 1997, some traces can still be found. The "Cattedrale di San Feliciano" was built on the site of an earlier basilica ("Civitas Sancti Feliciani") 1133-1201. It is the seat of the Bishop of Foligno. The cathedral has two façades, the principal façade, facing the Piazza Grande, and the secondary façade facing the Piazza della Repubblica. This is the center of the secondary façade´s portal, that dates from 1201. It is the work of the master sculptors and architects Rodolfo and Binello. The zodiacs are on the inner archivolt, the next one has entangled vines (and grapes). The two outer archivolts consist out of nice "cosmatesque" mosaics. In the center are moon, stars and sun under an inscription of the keystone telling the onlookers, that "stars, sun, and moon reveal a time of purity”. Pope Innocent III had crowned Otto of Brunswick as Emperor Otto IV of the Holy Roman Empire in 1209. But this was not the begin of a "time of purity”. Otto IV broke all promises and commanded Innocent III to annul the Concordat of Worms. Innocent III promptly excommunicated Otto IV what triggered a pan European power game, that Otto IV lost, when his armee was beaten in the Battle of Bouvines in 1214. Otto IV was followed by Frederick II (aka "Stupor Mundi").

In a niche of the crypt is the grave of Pierre de Castelnau, his remains were burnt during the Regilious Wars in 1562, so it is probably empty. - 1202 he was appointed by Pope Innocent III. as a legat for the suppression of the Cathar heresy in Southern France. What he did, he suspended the bishops of Toulouse and Béziers and excommunicated Raymond VI. of Toulouse. Pierre de Castelnau was assassinated on 15.01.1208, allegedly by an agent of Raymond, in the nearby village of Trinquetaille. This assassination triggered the Albigensian Crusade, as now Innocent III declared a crusade, offering the lands of the Cathars to any French nobleman willing to take up arms. This War lasted for 20 years. After that decades many villages and towns were totally destroyed and vast areas in Southern France were depopulated.